England in a tizz over Cowan

Steve James, London

Don't know much about Ed Cowan? ''That's OK. That's just the way it is.'' That was the verdict of writer Gideon Haigh when assessing Cowan's renown in the foreword to the batsman's diary of a season two years ago.

Cowan was then a journeyman first-class batsman revealing all his worries and insecurities. Now he is Australia's opener, having played 17 Tests, and the truth is that over here he is still hardly known. It rather sums up the state of Australian cricket.

While few modern-day international cricketers are as accommodating with their time and as engaging in their conversation, it appears Cowan may be a little gullible, and that his county teammate Graeme Swann has already got one over him ahead of the Ashes.

Cowan is convinced that Swann and Stuart Broad are not permitted to bowl at him in the Nottinghamshire nets under a directive from the England and Wales Cricket Board.

''It's a bit of a joke among the players. I would have thought that knocking me over a few times in the nets might plant a few seeds of doubt,'' Cowan said.

It is a joke. Subsequent inquiries with Nottinghamshire and the ECB have revealed there is no such directive. Yes, the England management is not particularly happy with Cowan being here in preparation for the Ashes, but it would not stoop to such pettiness.

It is, though, a serious point as to whether Cowan should be here at all. ''I can certainly see that point,'' Cowan said. ''But I can also see the other side of the coin - there aren't many secrets in Test cricket.

''My focus is that I want to build a really strong relationship with Notts and contribute to the club. The fact that it is an Ashes year, sure, there is some benefit for me, but I think there is some benefit for Swann and Broad. They get a pretty intimate look at my batting.''